CA Program entry requirements

Entry requirements for the CA Program and provisional CA membership

The Chartered Accountants Program (CA Program) is CA ANZ’s pathway to the Chartered Accountant (CA) designation.

The CA Program consists of two key components:

  1. Academic studies: Completion of CA ANZ’s TEQSA accredited Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting (GradDipCA), which has nine subjects (seven core and two elective subjects).
  2. Mentored Practical Experience (MPE): Three years of structured, mentored practical experience to develop real-world skills and professional judgment.

The CA Program's Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting course is delivered fully online by CA ANZ, giving candidates the flexibility to study from anywhere.

Who can apply?

To be considered for entry to the CA Program you must meet the following requirements.

1. Academic qualifications

  • Hold a CA ANZ accredited degree with passes in all required subjects (see Accredited Tertiary Courses), or
  • Hold a degree that has been assessed as equivalent to at least an AU or NZ Bachelor degree (AQF/NZQCF level 7 or higher) that meets the required competencies (see below) either through:

2. English language requirements

If your degree was not delivered in English, you must demonstrate English proficiency by achieving one of the following within the last two years:

  • academic IELTS overall score of 6.5 (minimum 6.0 in each component: listening, reading, writing, speaking), or 
  • an accepted equivalent test (TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency, LANGUAGECERT Academic, Michigan English Test (MET), or other Australian university-recognised academic English tests). 

For migration skills assessment, a higher IELTS requirement applies (overall 7.0, minimum 7.0 in each component, within the last three years).

For full details, refer to CA Program Candidate Admission Policy and Procedure, Appendix A and B.

3. Required competencies

You must meet the required competencies for entry to the first core subject of the GradDipCA – Ethics and Business. These required competencies may be completed as part of your CA ANZ accredited degree, through the CA Foundations pathway, or via individual study of one or more Accredited Tertiary Course subjects.

Required competence areas – CA Program

  • Accounting Fundamentals
  • Audit and Assurance
  • Business Law (AU or NZ)
  • Economics
  • Financial Accounting and Reporting
  • Finance
  • Information and Communication Technology
  • Management Accounting
  • Taxation (AU or NZ)

Notes

  • A CA ANZ accredited degree meets all required competencies.
  • If you meet the entry requirements but lack some required competencies, you may still be admitted but must complete the missing competencies via the CA Foundations Program or an accredited provider.
  • For a table of required competency areas mapped to each CA Program and CA Foundations subject go to CA Program Candidate Admission Policy and Procedure, Appendix C.

4. Provisional membership and maximum time to complete the CA Program

Eligible applicants for the CA Program are also eligible for CA provisional membership. When applying for admission, you must agree to the terms and conditions of provisional membership, as outlined in:

Regulation CR5 sets out the expectations and obligations during your period of provisional membership. This includes Section 5.11, which specifies the maximum timeframe allowed to complete the CA Program—covering both the Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting (GradDipCA) education component and the Mentored Practical Experience (MPE) requirements.

5. Criminal record / Police record check

If you hold a criminal record history at the time of application, you are required to provide recent evidence of a criminal record or police record check as part of your application. The requirements vary by location:

6. Elite athletes and performers

If you’re an elite athlete or performer, CA ANZ offers flexible entry provisions through the Elite Athletes and Performers Program (EAPP). This includes:

  • adjusted study load and timelines
  • extended completion time
  • dedicated support and wellbeing assistance.

Eligibility

Provide evidence of elite status from a recognised sporting or performance body, plus documentation of essential commitments.

Application

Submit your EAPP request when applying for the CA Program.

7. Inherent course requirements

We strongly support the rights of all people who wish to pursue further study to achieve their potential and career objectives. We are committed to fostering a learning environment that empowers and supports the personal and professional development of our candidates. As part of this, we embrace diversity and endeavour to accommodate all students.

What are inherent requirements?

Inherent requirements are the essential components of a course or subject that demonstrate the core abilities, knowledge and skills needed to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course or subject overall. Inherent requirements ensure the academic integrity of the course is maintained and preserves the CA Program learning, assessment and accreditation processes.

All candidates must meet the course's inherent requirements to successfully complete the course.

You should read the inherent requirements carefully to ensure your able to meet them. If you have any concern about your ability to participate in aspects of the course, you should seek pre-enrolment advice by contacting CA ANZ.

8. Right to study / Visa requirements (Australian applicants)

Australia based applicants, who are not Australian citizens or permanent residents, seeking entry into the CA Program must hold a visa that entitles them undertake studies in the CA Program.

CA ANZ has adopted the general policy position that we cannot register candidates studying or seeking to study the CA Program on an Australian student visa, because CA ANZ and the CA Program are not registered on the Australian Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) due to the online nature of the CA Program. CA ANZ has adopted this general policy position consistent with advice from CA ANZ's regulator.

Ultimately you, as a candidate or potential candidate of CA ANZ's CA Program, are responsible for ensuring that you are able to meet the requirements to enrol in the CA Program and satisfy any visa requirements or restrictions.

9. CA Program candidate profile

We are committed to ensuring prospective candidates have the information they need to make informed decisions about their study options. To gain a better understanding about the CA Program and the likely peer candidate cohort, please refer to our admissions transparency information.

10. Alternate entry pathways to the CA Program

If you do not meet the standard entry criteria, you may accelerate your CA Program entry through:

  • CA Foundations program: for those with non-accredited degrees, TAFE/polytechnic study, or significant work experience
  • CA Fundamentals program: for recent high school graduates working with an Approved or Recognised Training Employer.

Once you have attained the required competencies for entry into the first CA Program subject through your CA Foundations studies, you are eligible to commence your CA Program studies while completing any remaining competencies needed for progression in the CA Program.

11. CA Foundations and provisional membership entry requirements

The CA Foundations program is a flexible entry pathway delivered by CA ANZ, designed to enable entry to the professional CA Program for individuals with non-accredited degrees, TAFE/polytechnic study, or significant work experience. The program supports candidates in developing core accounting knowledge required for progression into the CA Program.

To be considered for entry you must meet one of the following criteria:

  • have completed a non-accredited degree (or in final year), or
  • studied accounting at TAFE or Polytechnic, or
  • have at least 3 years’ post high school work experience, or
  • have completed CA ANZ’s Accounting Technician (AT) program.

Eligible applicants for the CA Foundations are also eligible for CA provisional membership. When applying for admission, you must agree to the terms and conditions of provisional membership, as outlined in:

Regulation CR5 sets out the expectations and obligations during your period of provisional membership. This includes Section 5.11, which specifies the maximum timeframe allowed to for provisional membership to complete the CA Program—covering both the Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting (GradDipCA) education component and the Mentored Practical Experience (MPE) requirements and, if applicable, combined with CA Foundations studies.

CA Fundamentals entry requirements

The CA Fundamentals program is a flexible entry pathway for entry into the CA Foundations pathway and CA Program for recent high school leavers seeking to combine structured learning with working in the accounting profession.

To be considered for entry you must:

  • have recently graduated from high school (within the last 3 years)
  • be employed with a CA ANZ Approved or Recognised Training Employer (ATE or RTE) (see the list of CA fundamental candidate hiring partners here) 
  • completed high school level mathematics
  • be 18 years or older 
  • demonstrate eligibility for university entry.

12. How to apply for the CA Program

Step-by-step application process

  1. Check Your Eligibility: Ensure you have a relevant degree and meet academic prerequisites, often involving specific knowledge areas like Accounting, Finance, Law, etc., or apply for assessment via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) at the time of application.

    Use our Explore your pathway tool to find your starting point or begin your application and start your journey towards an epic career as a CA.

  2. Apply for the CA Program and CA provisional membership

    Follow the five step process outlined on our Get Started page.

  3. Upon admission acceptance:

13. Important information before you apply

Please read and understand the following resources:

  1. CA Program course information: Details the requirements for the Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting (GradDipCA) and the three-year Mentored Practical Experience.
  2. Timetable, fees and enrolment information: Explains tuition fees, payment options (including FEE-HELP (if eligible) and refunds), and other key details to help you manage your enrolment and progression.
    Note: Candidates residing in Australia must provide their Australian Government-issued Unique Student Identifier (USI) to enrol in CA Program studies.
  3. Candidate credit arrangements policy and procedure: Outlines eligibility and processes for applying for credit, including Recognition of Prior Learning, toward your CA Program studies (if applicable).
  4. Candidate Enrolment terms and conditions: Sets out your rights and obligations, including policies on withdrawal, variation, exclusion, cancellation, fee refunds, tuition protection, complaints, grievances, appeals, and other such matters.

14.  Applying for CA ANZ membership on completing the CA Program

Once you’ve successfully completed the CA Program (GradDipCA) and your three years of Mentored Practical Experience, you’re eligible to apply for full membership with Chartered Accountants ANZ.

Learn how to apply for full CA Membership

15. Is there an early exit qualification within the CA Program?

Yes. If you choose to exit the CA Program early, you may be eligible for the Graduate Certificate in Accounting (GradCertAcc), provided you have completed at least 60 credit points, including a minimum of 51 core credit points from the GradDipCA.

This alternative exit ensures you receive an AQF/NZQCF-recognised qualification for employment or further study with supporting CA ANZ’s commitment to lifelong learning.

16. CA ANZ Higher Education Provider details

Chartered Accountants ANZ (CA ANZ) is the only professional accounting body approved as a Higher Education Provider by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), Australia's independent national regulator of the higher education sector.

CA ANZ is accredited by TEQSA to deliver and award the following postgraduate qualifications (AQF Level 8):

  • Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting (GradDipCA)
  • Graduate Certificate in Accounting (GradCertAcc)

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications are recognised as comparable under the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) and by international employers and education institutions around the world. Further information about AQF qualifications is available at www.aqf.edu.au.

CA ANZ is a registered Australian higher education provider in the category of ‘Institute of Higher Education’ (TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12024). Further details about CA ANZ’s registration as a higher education provider and the accreditation of this course can be viewed on TEQSA’s National Register.

17. Contacts

  • For questions relating to admissions, applications, candidate support or administration matters contact our member support team.
  • Current candidates with academic queries relating to their enrolled CA Program subject/s should contact their subject facilitator (see subject contact details in the CA Program learning portal, My Capability Learn).
  • For details on CA ANZ’s office locations across Australia and New Zealand, visit https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/contact-us.

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